The University of Reading
School of Mathematics, Meteorology and Physics
Department of Physics
MODULE HANDBOOK
October 2007 Edition
(COMPLETE)
DISCLAIMER
This is an informal guide for the convenience of students and staff. Formal Ordinances and Regulations are given in the University Calendar and in the Programme Specification; should there be, or appear to be, any conflict between statements in this handbook and the full Ordinances, Regulations and Programme Specifications, the latter shall prevail.
Although the information in this Handbook is accurate at the time of publication, aspects of the programme and of School practice may be subject to modification and revision. Information provided by the School in the course of the year should be regarded, where appropriate, as superseding the information contained in the handbook.
Please keep this handbook in a safe place, as you will need to refer to it throughout your course.
Replacements are available from the Departmental Office for an administrative fee of £5.
Any revisions to this document will be posted on the department’s Web page:
Revisions:
Date / Page / Revision10/5/2005 / This Document Created.
28 Sept 207 / Removed old Part 1 modules: Added PH1007 DD
1
CONTENTS
DISCLAIMER
GENERAL MODULE INFORMATION
Introduction
The University Modular system
FOUNDATION MODULES
PH0A: Foundation Physics A
PH0B Foundation Physics B
CE0EMA: Foundation Mathematics A
CE0EMB: Foundation Mathematics B
EE0A: Electrical Science A
EE0B: Electrical Science B
PART 1 PHYSICS MODULES...... 19
PH1007: Classical PhysicsGreat Ideas in Physics
PART 2 PHYSICS MODULES...... 25
PH2001: Thermal Physics...... 26
PH2002: Quantum Physics...... 29
PH2003: Electromagnetism...... 33
PH2004: Experintal Physics...... 35
PH2005: Introductory Computational Physics37
PH2006: Astrophysics
PH2007: Group Projects in Physics
PH2401: Programming Skills
PH2501: Applied Physics
PH2503: History and Philosophy of Science I
PART 3 PHYSICS MODULES
PH3002: Advanced Experimental Laboratory III
PH3003: Physics Project...... 56
PH3701: Relativity...... 59
PH3702: Condensed Matter
PH3703: Atomic and Molecular Physics I...... 65
PH3707: Computational Physics I...... 68
PH3708 Physics in Medicine
PH3713: Laser Physics
PH3714: History and Philosophy of Science II...... 76
PH3715: Statistical Mechanics...... 78
PH3716: Physics in Archaeology ...... 79 94
PH3801 Nuclear and Particle Physics...... 81
PH3806: Atomic and Molecular Physics II...... 85
PH3807: Cosmology I...... 87
PH3808: Computational Physics II
PH3809: Problem Solving in Physics
PH3811: Stellar Physics...... 95
PH3812: Galactic Physics...... 97
PART 4 PHYSICS MODULES...... 99
PH4001: Physics Project
PH4003: Physics Project (MPhys Phys/Met only)
PH4A01: Advanced Quantum Theory
PH4A02: Lagrangian Field Theory
PH4A03: Current Topics
PH4B01: Statistical Physics and Critical Phenomena
PH4B02: Modern Spectroscopic Techniques
PH4B03: Cosmology II
PH4B04: Particle Physics and the Standard Model19
GENERAL MODULE INFORMATION
Introduction
This handbook accompanies the General Handbook and Programme Handbook in providing you with information and assisting you in making the most appropriate choices during your undergraduate career.
This handbook contains module descriptions of all modules provided by the Department of Physics for physics-based programmes, in addition to modules provided for the Foundation Year.
You will have modules provided by other departments, in particular by Mathematics and Meteorology, as part of your programme. You should refer either to information provided by the other departments, or the University Module Directory at:
for descriptions of these modules.
The University Modular system
(This information is also available in the General Handbook)
The University's undergraduate modular system is intended to give greater flexibility in studentchoice, in provision of teaching and assessment, and in the construction of programmes. Each programme has an associated Programme Specification, which is a document that sets out the requirements for each programme in terms of required modules, optional modules, pre-requisites and co-requisites. At the beginning of each part of their programme students will register for specific modules, each of which carries a credit-weighting. Assessment may take place within a module, or a module may be assessed at the end of Part 1, Part 2 or Part 3 (or Part 4 where appropriate) of the degree programme. Assessment may be based on submitted work, or on an examination, or on a combination of the two. At the end of the programme students will receive a transcript of the modules taken and the marks obtained.
You will find the Specification for your programme in your Programme Handbook, and on the web at:
As previously stated, the details within the Programme Specification are correct at the time of publication, but may change during your period of study here at Reading. Such changes will be published on-line, and you should check regularly for any updates. The Programme Specification lists the ‘core’ modules and, where appropriate, the ‘optional’ modules that it is intended will make up the Programme. Module Descriptions, which give details of the teaching and assessment for particular modules are given in the Module Description Handbook. You will see that each module has a code which comprises three elements:
(i)A two letter code, which indicates the School or subject area to which the ‘module’ belongs – this might not necessarily be the same as for the programme;
(ii)A single digit indicating the ‘Level’ at which the module is placed. In general these correspond to the Parts of your programme, so that Level 1 modules are taught in Part 1, Level 2 modules are taught in Part 2 and Level 3 modules are taught in Part 3. Occasionally some modules may be taught to students at a slightly higher or lower level, and you may find in Part 3 that you are taught a module which is placed at the ‘M’, or Masters, Level.
You may also sometimes find that Level 1 modules are referred to as being ‘C’ or ‘Certificate-level’, Level 2 modules are referred to as being ‘I’ or ‘Intermediate-level’ and Level 3 modules are referred to as being ‘H’ or ‘Honours-level’. This is because the University complies with a framework for degree qualifications which uses this terminology set down by the Quality Assurance Agency, the body which regulates standards in UK Higher Education.
(iii)One, two or three alpha-numeric characters which designate a single module within the subject area/Level code. They could have mnemonic significance, or could be characters of no intrinsic meaning.
Physics modules are coded PHpxyz, where: p is the part (1-4); x specifies the term for a single term 10 credit modules, or is 0 for a two-term 20 credit modules; yz is a unique 2 digit identifier for the module.
For example, Part 1 Classical Physics is PH1002, Part 3 Stellar Physics takes place in Term 8 (Part 3, Spring) and the code is PH3811.
Each module is assigned a credit value. The majority of modules are worth 10 or 20 credits, although it is likely that some projects or dissertations may have a higher credit value. Each credit equates approximately to 10 hours of work (including all contact hours such as lectures or classes, as well as further reading and any assessments) for the average student. Normally, each Part of a programme has a total of 120 credits (although there are some exceptions) and each programme has 360 credits in total for a three-year degree or 480 for a four-year degree.
Whilst the University hopes that all undergraduate students complete their programmes, in order to allow students greater flexibility and to reward achievement it has built in two ‘stopping-off points’ so that students successfully completing Part 1 and/or Part 2, who leave the University for whatever reason, may gain a qualification. Therefore, students who successfully complete modules totalling 120 credits (normally equating to Part 1) are eligible for the award of a University Certificate in Higher Education, whilst those who successfully complete modules totalling 240 credits (which normally equates to completing Parts 1 and 2) are eligible for the award of a Diploma in Higher Education in the subject that they have been studying.
1
FOUNDATION MODULES
1
PH0A: Foundation Physics A
Providing School:MMP
Level: HE0Number of credits: 20
Terms: Autumn, Spring and SummerNumber of ECTS credits:10
Module convenor: Dr D. Dunn
Pre-requisites: None
Co-requisites:CE0EMA, CE0EMB, PH0B
Modules excluded: None
Current from: 2004-05
Summary module description:
Aims
The module provides the first half of a foundation of competence in Physics for entry into Part 1.
Intended learning outcomes:
Assessable Outcomes
Solve simple problems involving:
Force, mass and acceleration
Energy conservation
Momentum conservation
Simple force systems
Young’s modulus, stress and strain
Explain the difference between elastic and plastic behaviour in materials
Additional outcomes
Students will develop transferable practical skills in conducting laboratory experiments and in measurement, and these will be useful in a wider context.
Outline content:
[Ms Jo Lakeland]
Measurement: Units, S.I., orders of magnitude. Instrumentation, errors: systematic and random. Precision, accuracy, mean value.
Dynamics: Kinematics: velocity, acceleration, Newton's Laws, Momentum, conservation, elastic and inelastic collisions. Rotational dynamics, simple harmonic motion. Forced oscillations, resonance, damping (descriptive only).
[Mech Eng Lecturer(s)]
Statics: Forces and moments, equilibrium, gravity, friction, hydrostatics, pressure.
Mechanical properties of materials: Elastic and plastic behaviour. Stress and strain. Young's modulus.
Energy and power: Potential and kinetic energy. Energy sources and conversion. Fuels and pollution. Power stations.
[Dr David Waterman]
Laboratory experiments in physics: Brief description of teaching and learning methods: Lectures and demonstrations supported by laboratory work and tutorials
Contact hours
Autumn / Spring / SummerLectures / 15 / 20
Tutorials/seminars / 7 / 10 / 4
Practicals / 6 / 9
Other contact (eg study visits )
Total hours / 28 / 39 / 4
Number of essays or assignments
Other (eg major seminar paper)
Assessment:
Coursework :
Laboratory work and written assignments.
Relative percentage of coursework :
Practical report:20%
Module tests:20%
Penalties for late submission:
In accordance with University policy 10% of the total marks will be deducted from practical work which is submitted up to one week late. Work submitted later than this will receive no credit unless there are extenuating circumstances. Written assignments which are submitted late will receive no credit unless there are extenuating circumstances.
Examinations :
One three-hour examination in June: 60%
Requirements for a pass:
A mark of 55% overall.
Reassessment arrangements :
Re-examination in September. Coursework marks to be carried forward.
PH0B Foundation Physics B
Providing School: MMP
Level: HE0Number of credits: 20
Terms: Autumn, Spring and SummerNumber of ECTS credits:10
Module convenor: Dr D. Dunn
Pre-requisites: None
Co-requisites: CE0EMA, CE0EMB, PH0A
Modules excluded: None
Current from: 2004-05
Summary module description:
Aims:
The module provides the second half of a foundation of competence in Physics for entry into Part 1.
Intended learning outcomes:
Assessable outcomes
Solve simple problems involving
The lens/mirror equation
Refractive index
Doppler equation
Heat transfer equations for conductivity and radiation
Describe the wave particle duality theory
Additional outcomes
Students will develop transferable practical skills in conducting laboratory experiments and in measurement, and these will be useful in a wider context.
Outline content:
[Dr Mark Peace]
Light and Optics:Reflection and refraction, mirrors and lenses. Colour. The photoelectric effect.
Wave Phenomena: Progressive and standing waves, describing waves. Reflection, refraction, diffraction, interference, superposition, polarisation. Wave equation. Electro-magnetic spectrum.
Sound and Acoustics: Properties and speed of sound. Music: strings, pipes and harmonics. Sound intensity. Doppler effect. Applications
Atomic Physics: Radioactive decay. Uses and dangers of radioactivity.
Nuclear energy:Fission and fusion
Structure and properties of matter: Atoms, molecules, inter-atomic forces, bonds. States of matter.
Heat: Temperature, internal energy, temperature scales, thermometers. Expansion of solids, liquids and gases. Kinetic theory. Heat capacity, change of phase, latent heat. Heat transfer.
[Dr David Waterman]
Practical experiments in physics: Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Lectures and demonstrations supported by laboratory work and tutorials.
For Structure and Properties of Matter and Heat only: 10 hours lectures supported by 20 hours independent learning. The latter will be implemented by the following FLAP modules:
P7.1: Atomic basis of matter
P7.2: Temperature, pressure and ideal gas laws
P7.3: Internal energy, heat and energy transfer
P7.4: Specific heat, latent heat and entropy
Contact hours
Autumn / Spring / SummerLectures / 15 / 15
Tutorials/seminars / 7 / 7 / 4
Practicals / 9 / 6
Other contact (eg study visits )
Total hours / 31 / 28 / 4
Number of essays or assignments
Other (eg major seminar paper)
Assessment:
Coursework :
Laboratory work and written assignments.
Relative percentage of coursework:
Practical reports20%
Module tests20%
Penalties for late submission:
In accordance with University policy 10% of the total marks will be deducted from practical work which is submitted up to one week late. Work submitted later than this will receive no credit unless there are extenuating circumstances. Written assignments which are submitted late will receive no credit unless there are extenuating circumstances.
Examination:
One three-hour examination in June: 60%
Requirements for a pass:
A mark of 55% overall.
Reassessment arrangements:
Re-examination in September. Coursework marks to be carried forward.
CE0EMA: Foundation Mathematics A
Providing School: C M and E
Level: HE0Number of credits:20
Terms: Autumn and SummerNumber of ECTS credits: 10
Module convenor: Dr B Cosh
Pre-requisites: good pass in GCSE Mathsor equivalent
Co-requisites: None
Modules excluded: None
Current from: 2004-05
Summary module description:
Aims
The module provides the first half of a foundation of competence in Mathematics relevant to entry into Part 1 of BEng programmes in Mechanical Engineering, Integrated Engineering and Electronic Engineering and BSc programmes in Physics and in Meteorology.
Intended learning outcomes:
Assessable outcomes
Solve simple problems involving:
factorisation
sine and cosine rules
three dimensional vectors including scalar and vector products
transposition of formulas to give straight line graphs
simultaneous equations with three unknowns
Additional outcomes
Key skills in problem solving and numeracy.
Outline content:
Numbers: Elementary Algebra. Revision of pre-A level topics: simplification, factorisation, transposition, etc. Nature of equations, identities, inequalities, functions, partial fractions, quadratic equations, indices, surds, logarithms, Pascal’s triangle.
Functions: Domain and range. Mapping. Quadratic and cubic functions. Rational, logarithmic and inverse functions. Cartesian coordinates, coordinate geometry of the straight line. Coordinate geometry of the circle.
Vectors: Vectors and scalars. Addition, position vectors, base vectors, Cartesian components. Direction cosines. 3-dimensional equation of a straight line in Cartesian, parametric and vector forms. Scalar product.
Trigonometry and trigonometrical functions: Radians. Arc and sector. Trigonometrical ratios, sine rule, cosine rule, inverse trigonometrical functions. Trigonometrical equations, general solutions. Small angles. Further properties of triangles.
Graphs: Intersection of lines and curves. Loci. Curve sketching of even, odd, continuous and periodic functions including trig functions. General methods. Modulus notation.
Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Lectures supported by tutorials
Contact hours
Autumn / Spring / SummerLectures / 40
Tutorials/seminars / 40 / 10
Practicals
Other contact (eg study visits )
Total hours / 80 / 10
Number of essays or assignments / 3 tests
Other (eg major seminar paper)
Assessment:
Coursework:
3 tests during the Autumn term.
Relative percentage of coursework:30%
Examinations:
One three-hour examination in June: 70%
Requirements for a pass:
A mark of 55% overall.
Reassessment arrangements:
Re-examination in September only. Coursework marks to be carried forward.
CE0EMB: Foundation Mathematics B
Providing School: C M and E
Level: HE0Number of credits: 20
Terms: Spring and SummerNumber of ECTS credits:10
Module convenor: Dr B Cosh
Pre-requisites: good pass in GCSE Mathsor equivalent
Co-requisites: CE0EMA
Modules excluded: None
Current from: 2004-05
Summary module description:
Aims:
The module provides the second half of a foundation of competence in Mathematics relevant to entry into Part 1.
Intended learning outcomes:
Assessable outcomes
Solve simple problems involving
Differentiation of polynomials, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions
Differentiation of powers, products, quotients and function of a function
Integration of polynomials, exponential and trigonometric functions
Numerical methods for areas
Complex numbers; amplitude and phase
Matrix manipulation
Additional outcomes
Key skills in problem solving and numeracy.
Outline content:
[Dr Ben Cosh]
Differentiation : Gradient of a curve. Differentiation of polynomials. Tangents and normals. Stationary values. Differentiation of exponential functions, logarithmic differentiation. Differentiation of trig. functions. Parametric equations.
Integration : Indefinite integrals. Integration as the reverse of differentiation. Integration of products, fractions, trig functions. Change of variable. Definite integration as summation. Areas by integration.
[Mech Eng Lecturer(s)]
Numerical methods : Simple examples of iterative methods, e.g. Linear Interpolation, Newton-Raphson. Numerical integration by trapezium and Midpoint rules. Simpson’s Rule. Selecting best straight line on graphs. ‘Least squares method’ Reduction of laws to linear form and their graphical interpretation Use of linear interpolation. Estimation of maximum error in calculations for given bounds of data.
Complex Numbers: Imaginary numbers. Algebra of complex numbers. Complex roots of quadratic equations. Argand diagrams. Amplitude and phase.
Matrices : Matrices, order, determinants. Matrix addition, multiplication by a scalar, matrix product, inverse matrices (2x2 only). Transformations and inverse transformations.
Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Lectures supported by tutorials
For Differentiation and Integration only, 10 hours lectures supported by independent learning. The latter will be implemented by 20 hours of workshops involving the following FLAP modules:
M4.1: Introducing differentiation
M4.2: Basic differentiation
M5.1: Introducing integration
M5.2: Basic integration
Contact Hours
Autumn / Spring / SummerLectures / 30
Tutorials/seminars / 40 / 10
Practicals
Other contact (eg study visits )
Total hours / 70 / 10
Number of essays or assignments / 6 tests
Other (eg major seminar paper)
Assessment:
Coursework :
Module tests during the Spring term.
Relative percentage of coursework :40%
Examinations:
One three-hour examination in June: 60%
Requirements for a pass:
A mark of 55% overall.